A militant and a civilian were killed in a gun fight in Kanelwan villae of Bijbehara in South Kashmir’s Anantnag district on Thursday late night. The slain militant was identified as Yawar Nisar who had joined militancy two weeks back.A police handout said that on a specific input about the presence of three militants in general area of Herpora Kanelwan Karvel area of South Kashmir’s Anantnag district, operation was launched by police Anantnag, 3 RR and CRPF 40/90 Bn.During search operation militants fired on the search party resulting in exchange of fire. At around midnight taking advantage of darkness two militants fired and managed to give a slip. Cut off party of Army retaliated fire.”“Later on, it was learnt one individual riding a motorcycle Yamaha Libero (JK13-527?) with erased last numeral got killed in cross firing. No material leading to identity or I-card could be retrieved. Two mobile phones (Nokia 1209) and Jivi-N300 were seized from the said individual. One militant of HM outfit namely Yawar Nissar Shergujri @ Algazi got killed in the encounter. One SLR, 2 magazines, 40 rounds, one Chinese hand grenade and a pouch was recovered from the slain militants. One solider of 3 RR namely Rifleman Rohit Kumar No. 13771129K also sustained injuries.”
The funeral prayers for the slain militant were held at Hanfia Eidgah, Janglat Mandi where thousands of people offered the prayers. Nisar was the first militant from the town in more than a decade. He had joined militant ranks less than two weeks before.The civilian has been identified as Tanvir Ahmed of Arwani Bijbehara. Meanwhile, a complete shutdown was observed across the Annatnag district to mourn the killing of the militant and the civilian.Reports said massive clashes erupted between youth and government forces in old town Anantnag. Reports said that as soon as the news of the killing of Hizb militant Yawar Nissar and a civilian spread clashes erupted at Lal Chowk, Malakhnag, Chinni Chowk, Reshi Bazaar, Sherpora, Janglat Mandi and Achabal bus terminal areas of old town of the district.Youth from the areas started protesting, however, police and paramilitary forces fired several teargas canisters to disperse them, triggering massive clashes in the areas. (CNS)